HONOLULU - Friday's Christmas Eve matchup of UAB and Hawai'i in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl had all the makings of an offensive shootout.

And certainly those in attendance at Aloha Stadium as well as the national television audience were not disappointed.

The Blazers and Warriors combined for 1,079 yards and 99 points, but while UAB outgained Hawai'i by a 590-489 count, it was the Warriors who scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter to take control en route to a 59-40 victory.

Two of the Hawai'i touchdowns came on special teams as Chad Owens returned a third quarter punt 59 yards for a score and then Britton Komine sealed the win for his team when he alertly snagged an onsides kick attempt by the Blazers and raced 42 yards for the game's final score with only 1:55 remaining.

The Blazers were also hampered by a season-high 104 yards on 12 penalties.

Chang, the fifth-year senior from Honolulu, went 31-of-46 for 405 yards with no interceptions, spoiling the Blazers' first trip to a bowl game. Co-MVP Chad Owens caught eight passes for 114 yards and two TDs for Hawaii (8-5), which made its third straight appearance in the 3-year-old bowl.

"The offense just drove us crazy," Blazers coach Watson Brown said. "They are an awfully good football team that plays with a lot of confidence, especially on their homefield.

Owens also scored on a 59-yard punt return in the decisive third quarter, and teammate Jason Rivers added 11 receptions for 148 yards and a TD.

Clinging to a two-point lead, Hawaii scored 17 straight points in the third to take a 45-26 lead, and UAB (7-5) never recovered.

On Owens' spectacular return, he caught the ball at the Hawaii 41, broke a tackle near midfield and streaked down the left sideline for a touchdown. It was his fifth punt return for a score this season and his third TD of the game.

"No. 2 is as good a player as we've played all year," Brown said. "He's the heart and soul of this team."

The senior also made an over-the-shoulder catch on a 15-yard pass from Chang, pushing Hawaii's lead to 35-26.